While the culture surrounding fanfiction is often considered shameful and immature, there is some value that must be acknowledged.
One, there is a set literacy that comes with being able to consume fanfiction. You must be able to find sites. You must be able to understand the tags so you know what you’re reading; are you seeking a slow burn? Do you know what MCD means? You have to understand the difference between author’s commentary and actual text.
Two, writing fanfiction requires all the above-mentioned skills, but from the other side. You have to know what the audience wants, what attracts them, and how to market it appropriately. And, of course, you have to actually write the damn fiction.
Thirdly, fanfiction is responsible for generating expansive cultures. As we read in Jenkins, Trekkies took fan culture to the level it’s at now for the first time. They introduced the mania for nerds and geeks that had always been available for sports. Thus began the intensive networks of community that are staples of pop culture today.
Really truly, the literacy that unites nerd culture—the fanfiction, the theories, the subreddits, the lore—has helped to shape society, an influence and a reflection of the people who have created a space for themselves despite the stigma’s against them.
I, too, view fan fiction as a legit form of literature. Even though it is based on ideas circulated in a fandom, people are still able to convey stories through these works. Also, I know it can be hard to find well-written fan fiction, but in my own experience of reading some out of curiosity, I have realized that some of it is actually really good. I remember in the days when I was a One Direction fan, I would go on sites like Wattpad and find originals to read. I remember I read a particularly famous series named “After”, which was actually published in to books and apparently is being turned into a movie? Either way, I think that fan fiction can be a good form of literature for those who wish to read original works about their favorite characters. I also think that sites like Wattpad do a great job of providing a medium for author’s to share their work.